Lyon game at Marseille called off after bus smashed and manager left bloodied

29 October 2023 , 19:07

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Lyon's team bus arrived at Marseille with multiple windows smashed (Image: Ligue 1 TV)

Lyon’s Ligue 1 clash at Marseille was postponed after the visiting team bus sustained a heavy attack that left boss Fabio Grosso covered in blood.

The two clubs are heated rivals in French football and Lyon’s team bus was pelted with stones and bricks as it made its way towards Marseille’s Velodrome stadium. Grosso – a former World Cup winner with Italy – was injured and bleeding heavily as shards of glass cut his face.

Upon arrival at the stadium, Grosso received emergency medical treatment from experts at the ground to help stop the bleeding. The incident led to a decision being reached that the game should be called off - with further punishment for the home side now likely.

Grosso was heavily bandaged after being attended by medics at the stadium. The rocks launched at the bus had perforated the glass with shards of the broken glass hitting Grosso on the face. It is unclear if any other injuries were sustained by those on the bus.

Grosso’s assistant, Raffaele Longo, is also reported to have been hit in the eye by shards of glass as the windows on the right side of the bus gave way following the attack. Players leaving the bus appeared to have been left shaken, unsurprisingly, by the incident.

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Following the abandonment, referee Francois Letexier explained that a 'crisis meeting' took place before any final call was made, and claimed Lyon were opposed to the game going ahead: "The decision was taken not to start the match," he said. "It will not take place, the decision is now recorded. The rest of the events will be reports established to the competent authorities."

A graphic image of Grosso's facial issue was shared ahead of the game

The Lyon boss had to be heavily bandaged

But according to RMC Sport, away boss John Textor contradicted the version of the official, saying: "Our team wanted to play, we said we were ready to play, I'm very proud of the captain. It was very moving. We saw blood coming out of his head. He wasn't really lucid, because he was hit with shrapnel too. The decision is beyond our control."

The Bouches-du-Rhone Police also released a statement, confirming "The league has made the decision not to continue the match." Officers have made seven arrests, including two for stone-throwing.

Marseille released an official statement which read: “Olympique de Marseille deplores the unacceptable incidents which took place this evening around the Orange Vélodrome stadium, against the professional team bus as well as Olympique Lyonnais supporter buses.

"The club wishes a speedy recovery to Lyon coach Fabio Grosso and strongly condemns this violent behavior which has no place in the world of football and in society."

Grosso was only appointed at the French club last month - replacing former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc in the dugout. When the Italian was appointed, Lyon were at the foot of Ligue 1.

The club's fortunes have not improved since, with just one point picked up in the four matches since the managerial change. Lyon currently lie two points adrift of Clermont at the bottom of the standings. Marseille went into Sunday night's meeting in ninth place, with three wins from their opening nine league games.

Colin Millar